“The unexpected turn of events and the expression of eyes, I have worked very hard to illustrate the character's suffering, thoughts and burdens silently.”

MESSAGE TO THE READER:

“I am very passionate about manga, and I was eager to participate in SMA. This is my first submission in the competition, envisioning and creating it without the aid of words was a great challenge that took a lot of time and effort nonetheless it was a very enjoyable and enriching experience. I have always wanted to draw attention on the lives of those who live under very harsh conditions and use art as a mirror to reflect even a small portion of their struggle. Thanks to everyone who organized SMA and made it possible to apply multiple times a year, I deeply appreciate your efforts and the great chance you offer to all manga artists worldwide. どうもありがとうございます!”